Definition of family - Essay Example

It is sad that many have taken these aspects for granted and neglected their family members or lose family attachment. This paper aims at explaining the concept of family while shedding light on my experience. Nuclear Family The above photo depicts clearly what a family unit is comprised of the father, mother and their children. Essentially there are two types of families; nuclear and extended families where the former is comprised of just the parents and their children while the latter is comprised of the former together with grandparents, aunties, uncles, cousins, sister-in-laws and brother-in-laws (Corbett 2004).

An extended family is clearly depicted by the following two pictures where grandparents and their children take a photo shoot together. Extended Family (Grandparents, their children and grandchildren) Extended Family (Grandparents, their children, their children’s spouses and grandchildren) It is the duty of family members to offer assistance to those who depend on them. There should be mutual respect for all members such that one cannot intentionally do anything that can hurt another family member.

People in doing this should also appreciate that there are many people in the world today who do not have anyone to count on in good and bad times. I have had numerous occasions where I needed a shoulder to cry on and as much as I have friends by my side, family consolation works best. In other occasions like my graduation and birthdays, I always feel whole when my family members are there to celebrate with me. There is this connection that goes beyond love that I have with my brothers and sisters, parents and grandparents and other people of the extended family.

I am personally always ready to protect this bond no matter what the circumstances as difficult times also dawn on us that threaten to weaken it. Communication from my experience is quite crucial in maintaining strong family ties. Families for centuries have engaged in reunions and my family is not an exception. In these reunions that happen once a year in my grandparents’ home or one of our uncles’, we tend to strengthen the bond we have. We usually engage in many fun activities like games and all that for the sake of all to interact and share previous year’s experiences.

This form of interaction has also ensured that people keep in touch throughout the year and those who are able to visit one another, they can do so. I am mostly fascinated by the sharing of personal experiences for the past year i.e. since the last reunion. This is done in the evening under the moonlight in the backyard with everyone present while uncles prepare barbecues. At this time we mostly share funny moments where we laugh almost all night long. This happens on Saturday night and the following morning all depart to wait for another fascinating time together as one big happy family.

There are certain fundamentals that are followed in all the family units within the extended family so as to ensure harmony of the bigger family. One is the appreciation by all children that their parents are the core in their families (Corbett 2004). They should be accorded maximum respect and admiration by all the children regardless of their status, financial or otherwise. They are the people who the children